Man left with broken cheek after East Lancs hotel jukebox row

A DRUNKEN attacker who left an HGV driver with a broken cheek after a row over a pub jukebox has been spared jail.

David Harrison's victim Derek Jones was subjected to repeated blows after he asked for the music in the Station Hotel, Helm-shore, to be turned down on January 14.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mr Jones suffered a ripped ear, grazes and was bleeding. The assault led to him having sleepless nights, being dizzy and feeling anxious about going out – but he felt sorry for his assailant and said he wasn't the kind of person to hold grudges.

Harrison, 28, now of Talbot Road, Blackpool, had earlier admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, with a six month alcohol treatment requirement. He must pay £260 compensation.

Philip Holden, defending said: “He's not a man who is generally given to violence.

“He was going to leave the pub after the argument over the jukebox, during which reference was made to his mother being disabled - she was called a cripple by the complainant 's wife.”